Taking photos on a Lake Como boat tour: a practical November guide
3 November 2026 · 3 min read
Pick two or three scenes before you board
A private boat tour is one of the nicest ways to see Lake Como, and most guests want a few photos to remember it. You do not need special equipment: a phone and a little planning are enough. Before the day, decide on two or three scenes you would really like to take home. A good mix is one wide shot of the shoreline with the mountains behind, one detail of a villa or lakeside garden seen from the water, and one relaxed picture of the people you are travelling with. Having a short list means you can enjoy the cruise instead of photographing everything.
Match your scenes to the itinerary
Choose your scenes with the route in mind. VABA's one-hour Como villas tour stays in the first basin in front of Como and Cernobbio, passing villas such as Villa Olmo and Villa d'Este along the shore. The two-hour Villas and Nesso Waterfall tour continues towards Torno, Laglio and Nesso, where the itinerary includes an approach to the Orrido di Nesso gorge with a pause for photographs. The skipper decides the exact course and how close the boat can go according to lake traffic and conditions, so treat these as likely scenes rather than guaranteed positions. Water flow at the waterfall, the weather and the light on the day are not something anyone can promise. A photo pause is a moment to enjoy the view from the boat; it is not a landing ashore or a visit inside a villa or garden.
Explore the Como villas one-hour tour →Explore the two-hour Villas and Nesso Waterfall tour →Get your phone ready before the boat leaves
Charge your phone fully and bring a power bank if you have one. Clear some storage space, wipe the lens and open the camera once before boarding so you know where everything is. Keep the phone in an inside pocket or a small bag that stays with you, and use a wrist or neck strap if you own one. A compact bag is easier to keep at your feet than a large one.
Shoot seated, keep everything inside the boat
Take your photos from a seated, stable position, and keep your phone and hands inside the boat. Please follow the skipper's instructions about where to sit and when to move. Do not lean out or stand on seats. Follow the skipper's guidance before changing position or moving between seating areas. The skipper is there to drive the boat safely, so do not count on them taking photos for you. If you would like a picture of your whole group, ask politely when the boat is calm and let the skipper decide whether it is a good moment.
A few taps, then put the phone down
Phone cameras do most of the work. Tap the screen on the subject to set focus and brightness, then take a short series of three or four shots rather than one: small movements of the boat make it likely that at least one will be sharp. Hold the phone with both hands and keep your elbows close to your body. Once you have your few scenes, put the phone away and simply look around. Your memory of the lake is part of the trip too.
Cabin glass and November layers
In November, wear layers and a windproof jacket; our guide on what to wear and bring for a November boat tour covers this in more detail. If you sit inside an enclosed cabin, the glass can create reflections in your photos: move the phone close to the window, change the angle slightly or shade the lens with your hand. Do not open windows or move to an open area without the skipper's guidance. An enclosed, heated cabin is available only on the Venetian-style boat, on request and depending on boat availability and weather; if it is essential for you, confirm it before paying. This guide is for taking your own photos; do not assume that a photographer or photo editing is included in a standard sightseeing booking. When you are ready, use the booking page to choose your tour, set your guests and pickup, select an available date and time, then review the total before paying the online deposit.
Read what to wear and bring on a November boat tour →Choose your tour and check available times online →Ready to plan your photos on the water? Choose your tour and time
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